Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson

In recent days the yet-to-be-released successor to Windows 11's Outlook app leaked online. Called One Outlook, this unreleased beta version is known as Project Monarch.

This is not the first we have heard of One Outlook; it was originally scheduled for release last year, but the launch was delayed. But the leak was the first time anyone has been able to try out the app, but Microsoft has issued a warning saying that this is an "unsupported early test version" which is missing features.

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Last month, we wrote about problems experienced by some Windows 10 users who installed the KB5012599 update -- specifically 0x8024200B and 0x800F0831 errors.

While the problems are yet to be publicly acknowledged by Microsoft or added to the list of known issues with the update, the word is that a fix is on the way very soon. Sysadmins that have contacted Microsoft have been advised that a patch is "on track" for delivery this week, with the company blaming a "code defect" for the problems.

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GitHub has announced plans that will require call code contributors to enable at least one form of two-factor authentication (2FA) as a security measure.

Although the requirement for the extra protection will not kick in immediately, it is something that developers need to be aware of if they want to continue to use the platform.

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In response to new European data rules, Google has announced Sovereign Controls for Google Workspace.

Aimed at organizations in both the public and private sector, the new controls are due to launch at the end of 2022. They will make it possible to control, limit, and monitor transfers of data to and from the EU, and Google says that further capabilities will be added in 2023.

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It is not long since Microsoft released the KB5012643 update for Windows 11, bringing with it a lengthy list of improvements and security fixes. But, as has been the case with so many Windows updates, it also brought problems.

We have already seen issues with screen flicker in Safe Mode, although Microsoft has taken steps to address this. But now the company has issued a warning that Windows 11 users may experience issues with certain types of apps after installing the KB5012643 update.

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After what seems like an age -- in reality just shy of four weeks -- it is time for a new version of PowerToys! Microsoft has released PowerToys v0.58.0, complete with a lengthy list of fixes and improvements to numerous utilities. Many of the changes will be of particular interest to Windows 11 users.

Under the hood, native ARM64 support is progressing, and NET Core 3.1 has been ditched in favor of .NET 6. More interestingly, there are also important change to FancyZones, File Explorer, PowerToys Runs, Mouse Utility and more.

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Next month, Microsoft is officially retiring Internet Explorer 11. In six short weeks -- June 15 to be precise -- the era of IE11 comes to an end, but Microsoft is keen for organizations to move away from the browser before the big day rolls around.

Acknowledging that many organizations are reliant on IE-dependent sites and may well have entered the final stages of preparation, Microsoft says there is no need to wait until retirement day, saying: "the best way to prepare for IE disablement after June 15, is to proactively retire IE in your organizations before June 15".

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Microsoft has announced that its security tool for small to medium-sized businesses is now generally available. The standalone version of Microsoft Defender for Business helps to protect against ransomware and other cyber threats bringing, Microsoft says, "enterprise-grade endpoint security to SMBs".

Highlighting the importance of its solution, the company says that nearly a quarter of SMBs have experienced a security breach in the last year, often because they do not have the staff and resources available to enterprises. To help with this and to simplify deployment, Defender for Business comes with built-in policies to get customers up and running quickly.

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When Microsoft released the KB5012643 update for Windows 11, there were complaints from a number of users about screen flicker when booting into Safe Mode.

Microsoft acknowledged the problem, and confirmed suspicions that it was related to Safe Mode with Networking. The company has now addressed the issue, fixing it with a relatively rare KIR (Known Issue Rollback).

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For a while, Zoom was the darling of the video conferencing world, but a series of privacy and security issues -- although ultimately resolved -- knocked confidence in the platform. Many users hung on, though, with the free tier proving particularly popular.

But Zoom's recent, quiet announcement that one-on-one meetings are going to be subject to a 40-minute limit from May 2 means that a new batch of users is looking to jump ship and is on the lookout for a replacement. To help out, we've collected together a list of the best free Zoom alternatives that do not have a time limit on meetings (or at least not one that will impact on most usage scenarios).

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Installing updates for Windows can often be something of a gamble, but this is particularly true when we're talking about the preview versions Microsoft makes available ahead of the monthly Patch Tuesday releases.

The latest problematic patch is the recently released KB5012643 update for Windows 11. Due for a wider release in May, Microsoft has already made a preview version available for those who like to get updated as soon as possible. But some people who have installed the update are reporting problems with flickering screens.

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Microsoft has launched the latest version of its developer tool GitHub Desktop. The company describes GitHub Desktop 3.0 as a "big milestone", with this release bringing enhance pull request integration.

Among the improvements in version 3.0 of the software is the ability to review the status of your pull request check runs. There's also support for high-signal pull request notifications so you can be kept informed of pull request check failures and passes.

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Concerns about online privacy and security mean that more and more people are turning to VPNs. It can be hard to know which VPN to choose, and to determine whether it is best to go for a free or paid-for tool. For users of its Edge browser, Microsoft is readying another solution.

The Microsoft Edge Secure Network is a Cloudflare-powered VPN service which Microsoft is looking to integrate directly into Edge. Microsoft's VPN would not only eliminate the need to install a third-party tool -- something that serves as an obstacle to many people -- it also includes a free data quota to help entice users.

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Late last year, Apple said that it was planning to let customers fix their own hardware rather than forcing them to bring devices to an Apple Store or authorized third party. Now the company has officially launched the Self Service Repair program in the US, and will bring it to Europe soon.

For now, Apple Self Service Repair applies only to certain iPhone models, but it will eventually encompass some Macs as well. Anyone interested in repairing their own iPhone can download a repair manual from Apple, order the parts they need direct from the company, and even rent the tools required to perform the repairs.

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Microsoft has teamed up with Mastercard to launch a new identity protection solution which has been designed to help tackle digital fraud.

Mastercard has boosted its existing Digital Transaction Insights solution by adding next-generation authentication and real-time decisioning intelligence capabilities. The system helps merchants to verify customers' identities, and Microsoft will be providing its own insights and integrating the technology across its business.

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